Radiodynamic mine planter



Patented Oct. 28, 1924.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR., or GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

RADIODYNAMIC MINE PLANTER.

Applieatien med November 5, 1913, Serial No. 799,413. vrenewed July 214, 1923.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JoHN HAYs HAM- MOND, Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Gloucester, in the county of Essex and State ef Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Radiodynamic Mine Planters, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. r

This invention relates to radio-dynamic systems for mine planting and to mines Itherefor, and in particular it relates to means responsive to radiant energy from' a.

distance to expel a submarine mine from a vessel also controlled by radiant energy.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a view, partially in transverse section and partially diagrammatic, of one form ofV mechanism for practicing my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken through one form of mine adapted for use Y in my system.

y system for radio-dynamic mine planting comprehends l,the employment of`a suitable container for a mine, and means 'responsive to radiant energy from a distance to expel said mine from said container. Preferably said container is a movable one and preferably it is a vessel adapted to be partially or wholly submerged and from which the mine may be expelled from a distant control station by radiant energy. In the selected embodiment of my invention, I have disclosed a torpedo vessel, the movements of which areV themselves controlled by radiant-energy from a distant control station in a manner not herein necessary fully to set forth.

Referringl more particularly to the drawing, I therein show at 1 a portion of the hull of a'. torpedo or like vessel, the movements of which are preferably controlled by radiant energy from a distance in any suitable manner, as for example by means disclosed in my co-pending applications, Serial No. 788,540, September 8, 1913, or Serial Nos. 743,270 or 743,271, filed January 21, 1913. The starting and Stopping movements of the vessel 1, as well as the steering and other movements thereof, may be and preferably are controlled by radiant energy from a distance in the manner set forth in mylprev1ous1y filed applications, to certain of which I have referred.

In Fig. 1, I have represented the open oscillatory receiving circuit, controlling the discharge of a mine from the vessel, at 2. This circuit is connected to the winding 3 of a closed oscillatory circuit of any suitable type and shown as having therein condensers 4, 5 and a suitabledetector 6 for elec-V tric oscillations. At 7 I have indicated a sensitive relay or other contact making device, and Vat 8 a `local circuit adapted to be closed by said relay and having therein a battery 9 and a solenoid 10. These parts may 'be of any suitable construction not herein necessary mo-re fully to describe or to v chamber. While such means may be widely varied within the scope of my invention, I preferably provide fluid actuated means, and for that purpose I have herein represented a tank 14 or other source of compressed fluid supply, such for example as air under pressure.

tem may be employed. The flow of the fluid is adapted to be controlled by a suitable valve herein diagrammatically indicated at 15. `Fluid under pressure is conveyed from the tank 14 to the valve 15 by a pipe 16 and Afrom Said valve to the point of use by a pipe 17. The valve 15 isherein represented as operated by a ratchet member 1'8 formed with or carried by the core 19 of the If desired, a vacuum syssolenoid. In this manner the valve 15 may be rotated in a step by. step `manner first to place the two pipes 16 and 17 in communication and thereafter to close communication therebetween. -Inany suitable manner not herein necessary to disclose, the compressed puid after use may be discharged either by said valve 6r from any other suitable portion-o:l the mechanism. y l

Preferably in alignment with the-chamber y 11, I position a cylinder20 having therein normal position in any suitable manner not herein necessary more fully todisclose.

Obviously within the scope of my invention, I'may 'by radiant energy separate any two submerged bodies, one of which normally contains the other, but in the selected lembodiment of my invention, I have disclosed a submarine mine and means for expelling the same from a submerged vessel, preferably of a torpedo type.

In Fig. 2, I have indicated the type of submarine mine preferably employed in the practice of my invent-ion and in carrying out and practicing my system.

Therein I have represented a receptacle 24 having suitable partitions 25, 26 and 27, thus providing an upper or float chamber 28, a detonation controlling chamber 29, a wire or cable receiving chamber 30, and an explosive receiving-chamber 31.

Preferably the submarine mine is provided with any well known or suitable means, not herein shown, for controlling or regulating the depth of Submergence of the mine or its distance from the ocean bed.

Within the chamber 31 I place a suitable quantity of any desired explosive 32 and provide a suitable detonator 33 which is ineluded in an electric circuit, the wires 34, 35 v of which are positioned within a suitable tube 36 extending through the chamber 30 wherein I position a suitable length of wire, cable or other suitable material 37, which extends over a pulley 38, and thence through a guiding tube 39 to a weight 40 which automaticallyreleases itself from the mine upon the discharge of the latter from the vessel and sinks to the sea bottom, carrying the mine lto within the desired distance thereof.

The electric circuit is preferably broken or incomplete at a plurality of points when the mine is in the chamber 11, and I provide suitable means whereby upon expulsion of the mine from the chamber 11, the circuit is at once partially completed. Herein for the purpose, I have represented a needle or rod 41 mounted for sliding movement in a suitable support 42, 43 and adaptedI to b'e projected through an opening 44 in the wall of the receptacle upon expulsion of the mine from the chamber 11, by means bf the coiled spring 45. `Depending from the needle or rod 41 isa contact member 46 and upwardly extending from the wire .34 is a second contact member 47, preferably pivoted at 48 so` that it may be swung -to bring a, portion 49 thereof against a suitable abutment 59 upon the inner wall of the receptacle. Attached to the contact member 46 is a slack wire 51 forming a part of the circuit, said wire being attached to a metallic rod or stem 52 provided at its upper end with a oat 53 positioned in a suitable chamber 54 preferably having an open upper end 55. If desired, I

may-provide openings 56 in the lateral walls of said float chamber.

I may provide any suitable means for admitting external water to the float chamber 54 and for that purpose have herein represented a pipe 57 having a valve 58 by which the inflow of the water may be very accurately regulated. The lower end of the rod or stem 52 is provided with a lateral extension 59 preferably having a concaved por-- tion 60 which is adapted to be brought, by the rise of the float, into the range o movement of the metallic weight 61 mounted upon the upper end of a spring-like or vib-ratile metallic member 62 the lower end of which is fixed, as at 63, and secured to the wire 64 extending from the battery 65 of the local circuit.

I provide suitable means whereby at a preferably predetermined length of time after the mine has been positioned, the explosive thereof may be rendered inert or useless, and, if desired, the mine may be sunk, if during such period it has not been exploded by contact-with a vessel. Heretofore so far as I am'aware, submarine mines have been permitted to remain positioned for an indenife period after placement, so that they become a great menace to shipping after' the termination of hostilities. I provide means vwhereby the mine is rendered useless and preferably is sunk after a limited time subsequent to the placement of the mine. For this purpose I have herein represented a pipe 66, the upper end of which is in open communication with the, float chamber 28 at or adjacent t-he top of said chamber. The said pipe extendsl down through the several compartments of the receptacle and into the explosive receiving chamber 31.

`When the mine is dischargedI from the vessel 1, the weight 40 drops from the mine and the latter is positioned at the desired height above the sea bottom. The rod or needle 41 is projected by the spring 45 and the local circuit is partially completed by reason of the contact of the members 46, 47.

The circuit, however, cannot be completed until the float 53 has risen suiiciently to bring the extension 6() of the Hoat stem 52 opposite or substantially opposite the Weight 61. DurinofA the time when the extension 60and the weight 61 are in substantial transverse alignment, the vibration of said weight', due to the impact of a vessel, will complete the circuit and thereupon detonate the Aiexplosive 32, If, however, the

mine be not exploded when the extension 60 is opposite the weight 61, the mine becomes inert oi' useless because the further rise of the float lifts the extension 60 beyond the range 'of movement of the weight 61. The inflow of Water through the pipe 57 continues after the rise of the lioat 53, and the water is discharged infto the main float chamberv 28 and inally enters and passes through the pipe 66 into the explosive chainber 31, thus neutralizing the action of said explosive. Furthermore the proportion of the parts may be such that the weight of 4the Water received in the chamber 28 and in the explosive receiving chamber 31 is sufficient to sink the mine, and thus to remove it bodily from the course of navigation.

Upon the upper end of 'the mine, I may if desired provide an air exhaust valve 67.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that I have provided means active upon mine placement to render the detonating means potential at a predetermined or definite length of time after mine placement, to render inert the explosive substance` and also, if desired, to sink the mine.

IHaving thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

1. A submarine mine comprising, in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, means active upon mine-placement to render said detonating means potential, and means to neutralize said explosive.

2. A submarine mine comprising, in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, means including ioat means active upon mine placement to render said detonating \means potential and subsequently actling means to neutralize said explosive.

3. A submarine mine comprising, in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, an electric circuit controlling said detonating means, means active -upon mine placement partially to close said circuit, impact actuated means to close said circuit and subsequently acting means to neutralize said explosive.

4. A submarine/mine comprising in coinbination, a receptacle adapted tovcontain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, an electric circuit controlling said .detonating means, float means active upon mine placement partially vto close said circuit, means cooperating ywith said float I means and arranged to be actuated by im pact to complete the closure of saif/Lcircuit,

`chamber, and a tube connecting and means active subsequently to said floatmeans to admit water'to said explosive sub- Stance.

5. A submarine mine comprising in combination, a receptacle for an explosive -receiving chamber, a ioat chamber having a float, a detonation controlling chamber, an electric circuit extending into said detonation controlling chamber, means controlled by said float whereby the circuit may be closed upon mine impact, and means active at a predetermined interval after mine placement to neutralize said explosive.

6. A submarine mine comprising in coinbination, a receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, an electric circuit controlling said detonating means, yielding means active partially to close saidcircuit, means including float means active upon mine placement to render said detonating means potential, and means active at a predetermined interval after mine placement to render said explosive ineffective.

7 A submarine mine comprising in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, an electric circuit controlling said det-Y onating means, yielding means active par-" tially to close said circuit, means active upon mine placement to render said detonating means potential, and means active at a predetermined interval ater mine placement to neutralize said explosive.

8. A submarine mine comprising in combination, a receptacleadapted to contain'an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, means active upon mine placement to render said detonating means potential, and -means active at a predetermined interval after mine placement to neutralize said explosive.

9. A submarine mine comprising in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, means active upon mine placement to render said detonating means potential, and subsequently acting means to.,sink said mine and 4to neutralize said explosive substance. t

10. A submarine mine comprising a receptacle providing a oat chamber, a detonation controlling chamber, a cable .receiving chamber and an explosive receiving chamber, a float in said float chambendetonation means arranged in said detonation controlling chamber and controlled by said fioat, a cable in said cable receiving chamber and having an end projecting outside of said receptacle, a weight connected to said cable outside of said receptacle, explosive means arranged in said explosive receiving' said float chamber with said explosive receivin chainber4 to permit the Water from said float Ol'le said explosive receiving chamber after said float chamber has been filled with Water to a predetermined depth to neutralize explosive means in said explosive receiving chamber.

l2. A submarine mine comprising a receptacle providing a plurality of compartments arranged in vertical series7 a oat in of said compartments, detonating means in another ofsaid compartments and controlled by said float, explosive means in another of said compartments, means for admitting Water into said compartment containing said float, and means for neutralizingsaid explosive as a result' of the admission of a predetermined amount of Water into said compartment containing said float.

13. A submarine minecomprising a receptacle providing a Water receiving compartment, a controlling compartment, `and an explosive receiving oom artment, detonating means in said contro ling compartment, and controlled by the pressure of water in said Water receiving compartment, and means for neutralizing explosive means .in said explosive receiving compartment as the result of the admission of a predetermined amount of Water into said water receiving compartment.

14. A submarine mine comprising a .receptacle adapted to contain an explosive material, detonating means arranged in said receptacle for exploding said material, said receptacle being provided with an inlet for Water and With means controlled by the Water entering through said inlet for rendering said detonating means potential, and said receptacle being provided with means for controlling the flow of the water entering through said inlet in such a manner that said Water will be permitted to neutralize said explosive after a predetermined interval.

15. A submarine mine comprising a receptacle adapted to containl an explosive material, detonating means arranged in said receptacle for exploding said material, said receptacle'being provided With an inlet for Water and with means controlled by the Water entering through said inletv for rendering said detonating means potential, and said receptacle being provided with means including an adjustable valve for control-` ling the flow of the Water entering through said inlet in such a manner that said Water Will be permitted to neutralizesaid explosive after a predetermined interval.

`16. A submarine mine comprising in combination a knormally closed receptacle adapted to contain an explosive substance, detonating means therefor, means active upon mine placement to render said detonating means potential, and means to Y vopen said receptacle to admit an explosive neutralizing medium. s

17. A mine adapted to float in a natural medium comprising in combination a normally closed receptacle adapted to contain an explosive of the type which is neutralized by ,said medium, said vreceptacle being arranged normally to exclude said medium from the explosive, detonating means therefor, means kincluding float means yto render said detonating means potential, and subsequently acting means to admit said medium into the explosive receptacle.`

i8. A submarine mine comprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of com'- partments, a mass of explosive substance positioned in 'one of said compartments, detonating means therefor, means active upon mine placement to render said detonating means potential, means to admit Water at a predetermined rate into another of said compartments, and means for conducting the Water from the last named compartment intoV the first named compartment after the Water has reached a predetermined level to neutralize the explosive substance.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of tvvoA subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, Jn. Witnesses:

JESSE HARDING, WM. E. KERR. 

